THE RIGHTS OF HUSBAND AND WIFE

6. The Rights of Husband and Wife ~ 143 ~ Islam keeps this difference in mind, so that more and more harmony and cooperation may build up between the two, and the task of home building may proceed smoothly and without any hindrance. While Islam enjoins women to become obedient to their husbands, the Qur’an says that virtuous women are already obedient to their husbands.126 ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas has interpreted this verse in these words: “women obedient to their husbands.”127 What is intended by making women obedient to their husbands is to cultivate in them the kind of fine temperament that will make them true partners to their husbands. This will result in a positive and constructive atmosphere at home rather than one of confrontation and discord. An obedient wife wins the heart of her husband and thus gains the upper hand. Hers is the highest place at home. A disobedient wife, on the contrary, keeps quarrelling with her husband so that her whole life in consequence is marred with bitterness. So far as men are concerned, Islam aims at cultivating fair mindedness on all occasions. Being the maintainer of the house, the man should not